ad libitum

American  

[ad lib-i-tuhm, ahd lib-i-toom] / æd ˈlɪb ɪ təm, ɑd ˈlɪb ɪˌtʊm /

adjective

1. at one's pleasure.

2. Music. not obligatory or indispensable. ad lib.

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ad libitum British  

/ ˈlɪbɪtʊm, -təm /

adjective

1. Often shortened to: ad lib.  music (to be performed) at the performer's discretion

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Etymology

Origin of ad libitum

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1695–1705

Example Sentences

One group was permitted ad libitum feeding, which is eating whenever they wanted.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023

In the experiment, the mice on the ad libitum schedule gained weight and experienced metabolic dysfunction, whereas the mice on time restricted feeding did not.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023

This form of husbandry, known as ad libitum feeding, is cheap and convenient since animal technicians need only check the hoppers from time to time to make sure they haven’t run dry.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2011

Question of Love The most striking bit of medical news from the newspaper point of view last week was a Buffalo doctor's prescription for procreating boy or girl babies ad libitum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Although knowledge of the amount of water consumed, ad libitum, by adult mice is valuable information, maintenance of the population depends upon reproduction and dispersal of young individuals.

From Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado by Douglas, Charles L.